LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona — When young Airmen need help or are looking for guidance, a good place to start is with a senior NCO. Making it into the top 3 percent in the U.S. Air Force is a major accomplishment. Although senior NCOs are the primary people to go, there are a limited number of senior NCOs…

The men and women of the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) welcomed a new First Sgt. in May. Master Sgt. Jaime M. Lewis, began his career in 2000 as an Aerial Porter, where he performed duties such as passenger services, cargo warehouse worker, ramp services, special handling, and air terminal operation center controller. After…

America’s stars and stripes and Arizona’s lone copper star always wave proudly at the Arizona Air National Guard’s 162nd Wing. But it’s the adjacent flags of coalition-partners – from the pacific island-nations of Far East Asia, to the NATO countries of the old Europe and new ones in the Middle-East – that remind Guard…

Nearly 300 Airmen deployed from D-M the past six months returned at 10:45 p.m. on July 29. Airmen were greeted by family, friends and base leadership. A total of 1,200 Airmen from across D-M have been deployed around the world including the 354th Fighter Squadron, which deployed as a Theater Security Package to Europe. This…

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZONA — Airmen are constantly trained to be safe in everything while at work, but how safe are we when we arrive home? According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 93,200 unintentional injury-related deaths occur in the home and community. The top causes of injuries involve motor vehicles, poisoning, falls, choking, drowning,…

The “Desert Rats” Warbird Demonstration Team makes a high-speed run past each other in their CJ-6A Chinese basic pilot trainer aircraft. The CJ-6 aircraft, designed in 1958, are still flown today by China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force. The CJ-6 is a Chinese version of the Yakovlev Yak-18A. Its predecessor, the Nanchang CJ-5, was a licence-built version…

Combining his vocal talents with his flying, Will Allen as “The Flying Tenor” brings a new type of air show performance that will stir your soul. Will sings the national anthem live from the cockpit of his Pitts bi-plane while flying an aerobatic routine that has been choreographed to harmonize with the cadence and crescendos of the…

The “Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona” open house will feature many showcases, mostly centered on aerial displays. But one exhibit takes us from the skies to the ground and across thousands of miles to the sands of Iraq, where the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group sparked a movement that would come to be known as the…

During Thunder and Lightning over Arizona, spectators can witness a mission unique to the Air Force, Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), through a demonstration simulating the rescue of an injured U.S. Marine, injured by an IED while on patrol. Air Force members from Davis-Monthan will showcase their capabilities. Visitors will see the 354th Fighter Squadron,…

This weekend, a familiar face is making a temporary appearance to the airspace above D-M. The Thunderbirds are scheduled to participate in the 2014 D-M Air Show Open House. The Thunderbirds will be celebrating their 61st season of flying. The precise, calculated maneuvers that make the Thunderbirds a fan favorite require the pilots to have…

Eight Airmen from the 48th Rescue Squadron at D-M were first responders on a 19 vehicle accident involving more than 20 people on Interstate 10 near Picacho Peak, Ariz., Oct. 29. Six pararescueman, a combat rescue officer and a communications specialist were driving through a dust storm with reduced visibility after jump training in Eloy,…

Entrance Procedures: • Anyone with a military ID, to include active duty, dependent, and reserve may park at the 355th Medical Group or the Mirage Club and ride free shuttles to the event entrance. Pick-up locations are at the Mirage Club and Medical Clinic from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 12 and 13….

Over European castles, Middle Eastern deserts and Pacific islands, F-16 fighter pilots are soaring in ever-increasing numbers. Their experiences, nationalities and cultures are different, but they share several common bonds. They are partners, they are friends and they learned to fly their F-16s at the Air National Guard base at Tucson International Airport. With more…

Kent Pietsch fell in love with flying when he was four years-old. Five decades later, his passion has not waned. Since 1973, Kent has performed his incredible aerobatic routines for millions of people at more than 400 shows that have taken him to quality venues throughout the United States. Kent grew up in Minot, North…

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Desert Lightning News is published by Aerotech News and Review, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under written agreement with the 355th Fighter Wing. Aerotech News and Review prepares all editorial content for Desert Lightning News. Submissions may be edited to conform to the AP Style Guide, local policy and Air Force style as required by Air Force Instruction 35-101.

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